Berroco Circinus Homeware Knitting Pattern

Berroco Circinus Knit Pillow Cover

Project Overview

Circinus is an easy-skill-level knit homeware project designed by Emily Nora O'Neil. This seamless pillow cover is worked in the round and features a distinctive two-sided design: one solid side and one striped side, creating visual interest and versatility in home décor applications. The finished pillow measures approximately 18 inches across and is designed to fit a standard 18-inch knife-edge round pillow form.

Knitting Techniques

This project showcases several fundamental knitting techniques that make it suitable for knitters developing their skills. The pillow is worked seamlessly in the round, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a polished, professional finish. The construction begins with a small cast-on that increases progressively outward, creating a circular shape from the center. Knitters will practice yarn-over increases (yo) to expand the stitch count, along with knit-two-together decreases (k2tog) for shaping. The pattern incorporates stripes created through color changes, adding visual dimension to the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Circinus pattern employs basic knitting stitches accessible to intermediate beginners. Core stitches include knit (k), purl (p), and through-the-back-loop variations (k1TBL, p1TBL). The pattern uses yarn-over increases to create decorative eyelet details, which are then closed in subsequent rounds to prevent holes. The solid side features stockinette stitch variations with purl rounds interspersed, while the striped side introduces color work through strategic yarn changes. A stitch marker is used to denote the beginning of each round, essential for maintaining proper stitch placement when working in the round.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Berroco Gusto yarn, a bulky-weight option that works at a gauge of 9 stitches and 15 rounds per 4 inches on size 13 (9.00 mm) needles. The yarn palette consists of three colors: 2 balls of #1982 Obsidian (main color), 1 ball of #1981 Alabaster (contrast color 1), and 1 ball of #1990 Sugilite (contrast color 2). Each ball weighs 100 grams, providing ample yardage for this homeware project. The bulky weight and resulting large gauge make this project work up relatively quickly.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires circular knitting needles in size 13 (9.00 mm) in two lengths: 16 inches and 29 inches. The pattern instructions include guidance for transitioning between needle sizes as stitch counts increase and decrease—a practical technique for maintaining comfortable working tension throughout the project. Additionally, the pattern requires one set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in size 13 for the initial small-stitch-count rounds at the project's beginning and for final decreases. A stitch marker, tapestry needle for finishing, and an 18-inch knife-edge round pillow form complete the required materials.

Construction Method

The pillow is constructed as a single circular piece worked from the center outward. The solid side begins with a small cast-on of 6 stitches on double-pointed needles, joined for working in the round. Systematic increases expand the stitch count progressively, with yarn-overs creating decorative details that are closed in subsequent rounds. As stitches accumulate, the knitter transitions from dpns to the shorter circular needle, then to the longer circular needle to accommodate the growing circumference. The striped side incorporates color changes and decrease rounds to shape the piece back down. This seamless, in-the-round construction eliminates seaming while creating a professional, finished appearance suitable for home décor.